Side stripper for raveling grate conveyor

ABSTRACT

An assembly for scraping and sealing the inner surface of the side wall of a traveling grate conveyor contiguous the discharge end of the upper run of the conveyor. A similar assembly is provided for each of the opposite side walls of the grate conveyor. The assembly comprises a plurality of hollow fluidcooled plows which are positioned in abutting relation to each other lengthwise of the conveyor and contiguous the inner surface of the conveyor side wall at a location in the region where the conveyor strand is about to turn, or has started to turn, about the head shaft at the discharge end of the conveyor. At least one of the plows is provided with a scraping edge which deflects the conveyed material from adjacent the inner surface of the corresponding side wall of the conveyor to a position laterally inwardly of the side wall. The plows also serve to close the clearance space between the sealing plate and the upper edge of the conveyor side plates (a plurality of pivotally connected side plates define the side wall) in the region where the conveyor strand turns, whereby to prevent lateral spillage of material being conveyed, such as ore pellets, through this clearance space. Each of the plows which constitute the scraping and sealing assembly is rigidly connected to a cooling fluid (air) supply pipe which is mounted for axial movement in a direction laterally of the conveyor strand. The cooling fluid is circulated through the hollow interior of the plows. The plurality of air supply pipes also are rigidly connected to a guide plate lying laterally outwardly of the conveyor side plates. The relation between the plow members, the conveyor side plates, and the guide plate provides a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;follower&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; arrangement whereby lateral expansion or contraction of the conveyor strand causes corresponding movement of the air supply pipe members and hence of the plows and guide plate attached to the air supply pipe members. This follower movement insures that the plows are maintained in proper scraping and sealing relation at all times to the inner surface of the conveyor side wall, while at all times maintaining a predetermined working clearance of the conveyor side plates relative to the guide member and relative to the plows.

United States Patent 1191 Hartwig SIDE STRIPPER FOR RAVELING GRAT CONVEYOR [75] Inventor: Walter J. Hartwig, Hartland, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation,

Milwaukee, Wis.

22 Filed: Mar. 26, 1973 21 App]. No.: 345,231

[52] us. c1. 198/230 [51] Int. Cl. B65g 45/00 [58] Field of Search 198/230, 229

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,160,266 l2/l964 Edwards 198/230 Primary Examiner--Richard E. Aegerter Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert C. Sullivan 7] ABSTRACT An assembly for scraping and sealing the inner surface of the side wall of a traveling grate conveyor contiguous the discharge end of the upper run of the conveyor. A similar assembly is provided for each of the opposite side walls of the grate conveyor. The assembly comprises a plurality of hollow fluid-cooled plows which are positioned in abutting relation to each other lengthwise of the conveyor and contiguous the inner surface of the conveyor side wall at a location in the region where the conveyor strand is about to turn, or has started to turn, about the head shaft at the dis- [111 3,811,557 [451 May21, 1974 plate and the upper edge of the conveyor side plates (a plurality of pivotally connected side plates define the side wall) in the region where the conveyor strand turns, whereby to prevent lateral spillage of material being conveyed, such as ore pellets, through this clearance space. Each of the plows which constitute the scraping and sealing assembly is rigidly connected to a cooling fluid (air) supply pipe which is mounted for axial movement in a direction laterally of the con veyor strand. The cooling fluid is circulated through the hollow interior of the plows. The plurality of air supply pipes also are rigidly connected to a guide plate lying laterally outwardly of the conveyor side plates. The relation between the plow members, the conveyor side plates, and the guide plate provides a follower" arrangement whereby lateral expansion or contraction of the conveyor strand causes corresponding movement of the air supply pipe members and hence of the plows and guide plate attached to the air supply pipe members. This follower movement insures that the plows are maintained in proper scraping and sealing relationat all times to the inner surface of the conveyor side wall, while at all times maintaining a predetermined working clearance of the conveyor side plates relative to the guide member and relative to the plows.

20 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SIDE STRIPPER FOR RAVELING CRATE CONVEYOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to traveling grate conveyors of the type used to convey material through a dryer, a furnace, a cooler or the like and more particularly to a device for scraping and sealing internal surfaces of the side walls of such a conveyor, and the combination of such a device with a traveling grate conveyor.

2. Description of the Prior Art A device of the general type to which the present invention is directed is shown in United States Pat. No. 3,160,266, issued to Ray C. Edwards on Dec. 8, 1964, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

Asshown by the aforementioned United States patent to Edwards, it is known to provide a device for scraping and sealing the interior surface of each side wall of a grate conveyor in the end region of the upper run of the grate conveyor, where the endless conveyor starts to move downwardly about the head shaft or the like, at which region the material such as pelletized ore or the like carried by the upper run of the conveyor is delivered to a horizontal stripper (sometimes known as an end stripper) which delivers the pelletized ore or the like to a rotary kiln or other processing apparatus.

During the start-up of a typical grate conveyor of the type used to convey pelletized ore, for example, the chains and grates may typically increase from ambient temperature to a temperature of the order of magnitude of 700 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, causing the moving strand of a typical grate conveyor to thermally expand in a lateral direction transverse of the longitudinal path of movement of the conveyor by several inches or more in a typical case. This means that if the scrapers for scraping and sealing the inside surfaces of the side walls of the conveyor are located at a certain position in contact with the inside surfaces of the side walls will move laterally outwardly relative to the scraping devices as the conveyor heats up unless means are provided for adjusting the position of the scraping and sealing device in accordance with the lateral thermal expansion or contraction of the conveyor strand.

During the cooling down of the conveyor after a major or minor shutdown, a situation which is the reverse of that described for start-up occurs.

The term conveyor strand as used herein is intended to collectively include the entire endlessly movable part of the conveyor assembly including the conveyor grates, chains, side plates and supports which move therewith such as thru rods or tie rods.

In grate conveyors of the type to which the present invention is directed, it is customary to provide a sealing plate which extends alongthe upper run of the conveyor in overlying relation to the upper edge of the side plates which define the conveyor side wall, whereby to prevent spillage laterally over the edge of the side plates of the material being conveyed, such as ore pellets.

In the region where the traveling grate is turning around the end shaft at the discharge end of the conveyor, there is a clearance space between the upper edge of the conveyor side plates and the sealing plate through which the conveyed material could laterally spill unless means-are provided to cover or seal the aforementioned clearance space.

A further problem in connection with providing a scraper for the inner surface of the side walls of a traveling grate conveyor of the type used for carrying pelletized ore through a heat treating process is that if the scaper member is made sufficiently large to adequately provide a proper sealing in the region where the conveyor turns around the end shaft or sprocket, such a scraper member if made in one piece would be subject to warpage due to the temperature conditions of the environment in which the scraper is located. In the region where the scraper is located the temperature may reach the order of magnitude of 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for scraping and sealing the inner surfaces of the side walls of a traveling grate conveyor or the like in which the scraping and sealing devices are maintained in proper scraping and sealing relation relative to the interior surfaces of the side walls at all times despite variations in the lateral location of the side walls due to thermal expansion or contraction of the grate conveyor strand, and to provide the combination of such a device with a traveling grate conveyor.

It is'a further objectof the present invention to provide a scraping and sealing device for the inner surface of the side walls of a traveling grate conveyor or the like in which the scraping and sealing member is of segmented fluid cooled construction whereby to minimize thermal warpage of the scraping and sealing member.

for the inner surfaces of the side walls of the traveling grate in which the position of the scraping and sealing means is automatically adjusted in accordance with the thermal expansion or contraction of the traveling grate conveyor strand to maintain the scraping means in proper scraping and sealing position at all times.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide in association with a scraping device for the interior surface of the side walls of a movable grate conveyor strand contiguous the discharge end of the grate conveyor a guide means for the side walls of the grate conveyor strand in the discharge region in which a predetermined average operating clearance is constantly maintained between the side walls of the grate conveyor strand and the guide means despite variations in the location 'of the side walls of the grate conveyor strand due to thennal expansion or contraction of the traveling grate conveyor strand.

In achievement of these objectives, there is provided in accordance with an embodiment of this invention and for use with or in combination with a traveling grate conveyor an assembly for scraping and sealing the inner surface of the side wall of a traveling grate conveyor contiguous the discharge end of the upper run of the conveyor. A similar assembly is provided for each of the opposite side walls of the grate conveyor. The assembly comprises a plurality of hollow fluid-cooled plows which are positioned in abutting relation to each other lengthwise of the conveyor and contiguous the inner surface of the conveyor side wall at a location in the region where the conveyor strand is about to turn, or has started to turn, about the end shaft at the discharge end of the conveyor. At least one of the plows is provided with a scrpaing edge which deflects the conveyed material from adjacent the inner surface of the corresponding side wall of the conveyor to a position laterally inwardly of the side wall. The plows also serve to close the clearance space between the sealing plate and the upper edge of the conveyorside plates (a plurality of pivotally connected side plates define the side wall) in the region where the conveyor strand turns, whereby to prevent lateral spillage of material being conveyed, such' as ore pellets, through this clearance space. Each of the plows which constitute the scraping and sealing assembly is rigidly connected to a cooling fluid (air) supply pipe which is mounted for axial movement in a direction laterally of the conveyor strand. The cooling fluid is circulated through the hollow interior of th plows. The plurality of air supply pipes also are rigidly connected to a guide plate lying laterally out wardly of the conveyor side plates. The relation be tween the plow members, the conveyor side plates, and the guide plate provides a follower arrangement whereby lateral expansion or contraction of the conveyor strand causes corresponding movement of the'air supply pipe members and hence of the plows and guide plate attached to the air supply pipe members. This follower movement insures that the plows are maintained in proper scraping and sealing relation at all times to the inner surfaces of the conveyor side wall, while at all times maintaining a predetermined working clearance of the conveyor side plates relative to the guide member and relative to the plows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in section taken along line I--I of FIG. 2, showing the inner surface of one of the side walls of a traveling grate conveyor in the region of the discharge end of the grate conveyor showing the positional relation of the side stripper and sealing device of the invention to the horizontal stripper (or end stripper) and to the side wall of the horizontal stripper, as well as the relation of theside stripper and sealing device to the side plates which constitute the side wall of the traveling grate conveyor;

FIG. 2 is a view taken in section along line IIII of FIG. 1, showing the side stripping and sealing devices on opposite sides of the grate conveyor, with the side stripping and sealing device on the left-hand side of the conveyor being shown in the position corresponding to the thermally expanded condition of the conveyor, and with the side stripping and sealing device on the righthand side of the conveyor being shown in a position corresponding to the thermally contracted conditionof the conveyor;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, in section, of one of the scraper and sealing embers of the, invention showing the air supply and support pipe connectionthereto;

FIG. 4 is a" view in section taken along line IVIV of FIG. 1, of the scraper and sealing assembly and its relation to the horizontal stripper and to the side wall of the horizontal stripper, all as viewed from the exterior'surface of the assembly;

FIG. 5 is a developed plan view of the scraper and sealing assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in section taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1, showing the three air supply and support pipes which are respectively connected to the three plow members of the side stripper assembly, together with the connection of these air pipes to the guide means for the side plates; and

FIG. 7 is a view in section taken along line VIIVII of FIG. 2 showing the box member which supports the anti-rotation devices for the three axially movable pipe members of FIG. 6, (the three pipe members are removed in this FIG.), together with the supporting structure for the box member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a traveling grate assembly including an endlessly movable material carrying conveyor member or conveyor strand generally indicated at 10 which passes around a tail shaft (not shown) at one end of its path of movement and around a head shaft 11 contiguous the discharge end of the conveyor. The traveling grate may, for example, carry pelletized ore or the like through a heat treating process prior to delivery of the ore to a rotary kiln. Suitable stationary support structure including vertical support members 15 and horizontal support member 17 are provided. The movable conveyor strand 10 comprises a plurality of pivotally mounted gas-permeable (apertured or perforated) metal grate members mounted on transversely extending thru rods (not shown) which in turn are suitably supported by conveyor chains which extend lengthwise along the opposite lateral edges .of the movable grate conveyor strand.

Grate conveyors of the type used to convey pelletized A ore or the like typically may extend for a length of about I50 feet to 200 feet from the head shaft sprocket to the'tail shaft sprocket thereof. Such a conveyor typically may have a lateral width of about I5 feet to 18 feet.

A plurality of pivotally connected similar side plates each generally indicated at 12 are suitably mounted on the movable conveyor strand contiguous each laterally outer edge of the grate conveyor strand and collectively define a side wall along the entire length of each respective lateral edge of the conveyor strand, the side plates moving with the conveyor strand. The lower edge of each side plate 12 is provided with a wear shoe 19 which rides along the upper surface of a horizontal pressure plate 14 which extends along nearly the entire upper run of the conveyor, the pressure plate 14 terminating contiguous the discharge end of the conveyor assembly just before the moving conveyor strand reaches the head shaft 11. The horizontal stripper (sometimes referred to as end stripper) l6 strips the material such as the heated pelletized ore or the like from the upper surface of the traveling conveyor strand as the conveyor strand turns around the head shaft 11. The stripper l6 delivers the treated material to other apparatus, such as a rotary kiln or the like (not shown). Stripper 16 is supported on a horizontal support beam 18. Stripper 16 is also provided with a rigidly mounted side wall 20 at each of the laterally opposite ends of the stripper 16. In passing around the head shaft and moving toward the lower run of the conveyor, the side plates 12 of the conveyor strand move in a path which lies laterally outwardly of but close to the end wall of the stripper 16.

A seal plate 22 extends lengthwise of the path of travel of the upper run of the conveyor and is in overlying and sealing relation to the upper edges of side plates 12 to prevent spillage of the conveyed material (such as hot ore pellets) over the upper edge of the side plates. Seal plate 22 extends horizontally for most of its length, but curves in an arc in the region of the discharge end where the conveyor strand is tuming about the head shaft 11. The end of seal plate 22 at the end of the arcuate portion thereof is secured to beam 18.

In the region where the conveyor strand is turning about head shaft 11, and in which seal plate 22 is arcu- .ately bent, there is not an effective sealing relation between seal plate 22 and the upper edges of conveyor side plates 12, with the result that in this region there is a clearance space C between the upper edge of side plates 12 and seal plate 22 which, unless covered, wouldpermit lateral discharge through the clearance space of hot ore pellets or the like carried by the moving conveyor strand 10. One of the functions of the scraping and sealing device of the invention is to close or seal the aforementioned clearance space in the region of the discharge end of the conveyor to prevent lateral discharge of material through this clearance space.

The scraping, sealing and guiding assembly generally indicated at 30 is suitably positioned and supported contiguous the discharge end of the upper run of the conveyor as will now be described. A similar scraping, sealing and guiding assembly 30 is positioned contiguous each of the opposite lateral edges of the conveyor and the description of one of these assemblies will suffice for both.

Referring now to the drawings, the assembly 30 in the illustrated embodiment comprises three separate plows members 32, 34 and 36 each of which is a hollow boxlike member made of a suitable metal to withstand high operating temperatures The three members 32, 34 and 36 lie in the same vertical plane closely adjacent the inner surface of the side plate membersl2 and extend from a first location where the conveyor strand is just about to turn or is just beginning to turn about the head shaft 11 to a second location where the conveyor has partially completed its movement around. the head shaft 11. Each of the hollow box-like plow members 32, 34, and 36 is connected on the laterally outer face thereof to a hollow pipe member such as the respective pipe members 40A, 40B and 40C which are respectively rigidly connected as by welding to the laterally outer face of the respective plow members 32, 34 and 36. Each of the respective pipe members 40A, 40B, 40C is in fluid communication with the hollow interior of its corresponding plow member 32, 34, 36. The pipe members 40A, 40B, 40C are positioned at a level above that of seal plate 22, and thus above the level of the upper edges of side plates 12. The opposite (laterally outer) end of each corresponding hollow pipe member 40A, 40B and 40C is connected by a flexible coupling or hose 39 to a suitable source of cooling fluid such as cooling air which is introduced into the hollow interior of each respective plow 32, 34 or 36 by its corresponding pipe 40A, 40B, or 40C (see H6. 2).

Functionally, the three plow members 32, 34 and 36 are essentially one scraping and sealing device. However, by subdividing the scraping and sealing structure into three separate structural elements, namely, the separate plows 32, 34 and 36 as shown, warpage problems due to high temperature conditions which might occur if a single plow equivalent to the combined size of the three members 32, 34 and 36 were made as one unitary metal casting are avoided. Relative to the direc tion of movement of the conveyor strand, the plow member 32 is the most upstream of the three plows, plow 36 is the most downstream of thethree plows, and plow 34 is intermediate the plows 32 and 36. The upper edges of the three plows 32, 34 and 36 all lie on a common arc and the lower edges of the intermediate plow 34 and the most downstream plow 36 also lie on another common arc. The most upstream plow 32 which first intercepts the material and scrapes or strips it away from the inner surfaces of the side walls of the plates 12 is of lesser vertical height than the other two plows 34 and 36. The vertical height and position of the plow assembly 30 are such that plow assembly 30 overlaps and seals the aforementioned clearance space between the seal plate 22 and the upper edges of side plates 12.

It will be noted that the most upstream vertical edge of the plow 32 is provided with a bevelled plowing or scraping edge 42 which scrapes or strips the material such as the heated iron ore pellets or the like away from their contact with the inner surface of the side plates 12 and deflects such pellets laterally inwardly away from the inner wall surfaces of the side plates 12, whereby the flow of pellets or other material is not impeded by the presence of the scraping and sealing plows. It will be noted that the upper portion of vertical scraping edge 42 of plow 32 extends a substantial distance above the level of the upper edge of side plates 12. The reason for this is that the material being conveyed, such as hot ore pellets, sometimes extends above the level of the upper edges of side plates 12, and scraping edge 42 serves to deflect any such heaped up ore laterally inwardly. Also, the lower edge 44 of the most upstream plow member 32 is bevelled and provides a scraping or plowing edge which also serves to scrape material away from the inner surface of the side plate 12 and move it laterally inwardly away from that surface. In addition, the intermediate plow 34 is provided with the scraping edge 46 which extends downwardly from the level of the bottom boundary of the scraping edge 44 of plow 32 to a level slightly above the level of the common plane of the upper surface of the conveyor chains and grates. (The material being conveyed extends upwardly from the common plane just defined.)

The scraping edges 42, 44, 46 scrape material away from the contiguous inner surfaces of side walls 12, de-

fleeting the material laterally inwardly away from the side walls in this region, where it can pass around the plows 32, 34, 36.without being obstructed by the presence of the plows.

The most downstream plow 36 is not provided with a scraping edge, the plow 36 serving principally a sealing function by overlying the previously described gap C between the sealing plate 22 and the upper edge of the side plates 12 in the region where the side plates are turning downwardly. In the illustrated embodiment, the

most upstream of the plow members 32 is located at a position at which the side plates 12 are about to turn,

whereas the intermediate plow 34 and the most downstream plow 36 are located in a region in which the side plates 12 are beginning to turn around head shaft 11 and thus to cause a gap between the radially outer or upper edge of the side plates 12 and the sealing plate 22, as previously explained.

The terms upstream and downstream as used herein are relative to the direction of travel of the moving conveyor strand.

As best seen in the view of FIG. 5, the contiguous abutting edges 32A and 34A of the respective plow castings 32 and 34 are each bevelled at a 45 angle. There is a clearance which typically under operating conditions might be about one-eighth inch between the facing surfaces 32A and 34A of plows 32 and 34. Similarly, the contiguous abutting facing edges 34B.and 36A of the contiguous plow castings 34 and 36 are each cut at a 45 bevel, with the facing bevelled edges 34B and 36A being normally spaced apart by a clearance which typically under operating conditions may be about one-eighth inch. The clearance between the abutting faces of plows 32, 34, 36 permits the contiguous castings 32,34, 36 to accommodate to dimensional changes of any one or of all of the plurality of plow castings 32, 34, 36 which might be due to thermal factors or the like. 7 I

At the downstream end of the most downstream plow casting 36, the casting 36 is provided with a step or recess indicated at 48 and defined by the integral extension 50, which receives the upstream end of side wall of stripper 16. The integral extension 50 on plow 36 has only part of the lateral thickness of plow 36, and extends for substantially the same radial height as the side wall 20 of the stripper and overlaps the side wall 20 laterally inwardly of stripper side wall 20.

As best seen in the view of FIG. 4, the laterally outwardly facing wall 32C of the hollow plow 32is provided over substantially the entire surface thereof with a plurality of apertures 52 which typically may be of approximately 0.5 inch diameter, whereby a cooling fluid such as air which enters the hollow interior of the plow 32 through pipe 40A may exit through the apertures 52. The laterally outer walls 34C and 36C of the respective plows 34 and 36 are similarly provided with apertures 52 over substantially the entire surface thereof to permitexit of the cooling air in the same manner as just described in connection with the plow 32.

The three plow members 32,34, 36 are intended to be capable of only an axial movement in a direction laterally of the conveyor direction of travel. To insure against any rotary movement of any of the three plow members 32,34, 36 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 (the only direction in which the plow members might tend to rotate for the given direction of travel of the conveyor), the laterally outermost wall 32C, 34C, 36C of the respective plow members are each provided with three lugs 55A, 55B, 55C which cooperate with the flanges 57,59 and with the ribs 61 of a box member generally indicated at 51 which is suitably supported laterally outwardly of theplow members.

The box member 51 includes an arcuate plate 53 to which the flanges 57, 59 and ribs 61 are all integrally attached. Flanges 57, 59 and ribs 61 all extend laterally inwardly from plate 53. Flange 57 lies above or radially outwardly of pipes 40A, 40B, 40C and flange 59 lies 8 below or radially inwardly of pipes 40A, 40B, 40C. Plate 53 includes apertures 56A, 56B, 56C through which the respective pipe members 40A, 40B, 40C extend.

The radially outermost lug 55A of each plow cooperates with the radially outer flange 57; the radially innermost lug 55B of each plow cooperates with the radially inner flange 59; and the radially intermediate lug 55C of each plow cooperates with the substantially vertical corresponding rib member 61. Flanges 5 7, 59 and ribs 61 therefore constitute abutments which prevent any rotation of the plows due to forces exerted by the material being conveyed.

If there is a tendency of any plow to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4, due to the force exerted on the plows by the material being conveyed, the respective lugs 55A and 55B will engage the respective flanges 57 and 59 and the lug member 55C will engage the corresponding vertical rig 61 to prevent such counterclockwise rotation.

The respective plows 32, 34, 36 are free to axially slide laterally outwardly or inwardly (relative to the conveyor) in accordance with the thermal expansion or contraction of the conveyor strand. The laterally inner end of the flanges S7, 59 of box 51 will serve as abutments which will limit the laterally outward movement of plows 32, 34, 36. However, flanges 57, 59 are so located that they will not limit any expansion movement of the plows which would occur in the operation of the conveyor. The lugsSSA, 55B, 55C of the respective plows 32, 34, 36 are of such length that in any expanded or contracted position of the plows which would be encountered the lugs are always-so positioned relative to flanges 57, 59 and ribs 61 as to prevent any counterclockwise rotary movem nt of the respective plows as viewed in FIG. 4.

The plows .on the opposite side of the conveyor from that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 would rotate in an opposite (or clockwise) direction'when viewed from the laterally outer side thereof (comparable to the view of FIG. 4). Therefore, the lugs such as 55A, 55B and 55C (not shown) on the plows of the opposite side would have to be sov located relative to the corresponding flanges 57', 59 and ribs 61' (not shown) as to prevent clockwise rotation as viewed when looking at the laterally outer face of the plows on the opposite side of the A suitable separate bearing means is provided for each of the respective pipes 40A, 40B and 40C. As best seen in FIG. 2, the bearing member generally indicated at 58 for any one of the pipes such as 40A, 4013 or 40C comprises a hollow cylinder member 60 which supports on the inner periphery thereof a suitable bearing such as a carbon bushing 62 which supports its corresponding pipe such as 40A for axial movement, as will be ex plained hereinafter.

Each of the bearings 58 is supported at its axially opposite ends by bearing supports generally indicated at 64. The bearing supports 64A at the laterally inboard end of the respective bearings 58 are rigidly mounted, as by welding, to thelaterally outer face of plate 53 of box member 51. The bearing supports 648 at the laterally outboard end of the respective bearings 58 are rigidly mounted on a horizontal beam 82 which, in turn, is suitably supported by a pair of vertical posts spaced lengthwise of the conveyor structure. As best seen in the view of FIG. 2, the respective air pipe member such as 40A etc. projects laterally outwardly of and beyond the box member 51 for connection to a flexible hose or conduit 39 which leads to the supply of cooling fluid such as air.

As seen in FIG. 7, the box member 51 including plate 53 thereof is rigidly supported by the horizontal beam 17 which in turn is supported by longitudinally spaced vertical posts or columns, one of which, indicated at 15, is seen in FIG. 7. Plate 53 of box 51 includes an extension portion 53A (FIG. 7) which is also secured, as by welding, to beam 17 and to post or column 15.

An important feature of the construction is the guide member generally indicated at 74 which lies laterally outwardly of the side plates 12 with a predetermined constant working or operating clearance between the guide member 74 and the side plates 12 as will be explained hereinafter. The guide member 74 extends through a path lengthwise of the conveyor substantially equal in length to that of the span of scraping assembly 30 lengthwise of the conveyor.

The guide member 74 is a vertical plate-like member having a thrust surface or element 76 affixed thereto on the laterally inner surface thereof (see FIG. 2). The guide member 74 is one continuous rigid member that is, it is not articulated into separate pieces as in the case of the scraper assembly 30. Each of the longitudinally-spaced pipe members 40A, 40B and 40C is rigidly secured by a connecting support member 78A, 78B and 78C, respectively, to the guide member 74 (see FIG. 6). The guide member 74 lies laterally outwardly of the side plates 12 of the conveyor strand but laterally inwardly of the bearing structure which supports the respective pipes 40A etc. Each side plate 12 on the conveyor strand 10 is provided on the laterally outer face thereof with a thrust button 80 which is adapted to engage the laterally inwardly facing thrust surface of the thrust member 76 carried by the guide member 74. Since the scrapers or plows 32, 34, 36 are rigidly secured to the laterally inner end of the respective pipe members 40A, 40B, 40C, and since the guide member 74 is rigidly secured to the pipe members 40A, 40B, 40C by the connecting support members 78A, 78B, 78C, it follows that there is a fixed constant lateral spacing between the laterally outer face of each of the scraper members such as 32, 34, 36 and the laterally inner face of the thrust surface 76'0f the guide member 74. The lateral thickness of side plate 12 from the laterally outer surface of thrust button 80 to the laterally inner face of side plate 12 which is engageable with the laterally outer surface of the scraper or plow members 32, 34, 36 is such that there is a working clearance which may be, for example, of the order of magnitude of I a-inch, between the side plates 12 including thrust button 80 and the opposite fixed surfaces (fixed relative to pipe 40A, etc.) of plow members 32 (or 34, 36), on the one hand, and thrust surface 76 on the other hand. This operating clearance may be distributed differently at different times, depending upon operating conditions. For example, if the conveyor strand 10 is thermally expanding, the thrust button 80 may be in direct pushing contact with thrust surface 76 of guide 74 to cause a laterally outward sliding following movement of pipe 40A, etc., in which case the operating clearance would be substantially entirely between the laterally inner face of side plates 12 and the laterally outer surface of plow members 32, 34, 36. On the other hand, if the conveyor strand 10 is cooling down to cause thermalcontraction of the conveyor strand, the laterally inner surface of side plates 12 are in pushing contact with the laterally outer surface of plows 32, 34, 36 to cause a laterally inward following movement of the pipes 40A, etc., and the attached plow members 32, 34, 36. In the case of the thermal contraction just mentioned, the operating clearance would be substantially entirely between the thrust button on side plate 12 and the facing thrust surface 76'.

When the conveyor strand 10 has reached substantial thermal equilibrium after start-up and during normal operation, the normal operating clearance is usually distributed substantially equally on opposite sides of side plate 12 between thrust surface 76, on the one hand, and the plows or strippers 32, 34, 36 on the other hand.

The thrust buttons 80 may be similar to those shown, for example, in my copending US. Pat. application, Ser. No. 334,150 entitled Guide Means for Traveling Grate Conveyor filed in the United States Patent Office on Feb. 20, 1973. Side plates 12 which may be used are shown in the aforementioned patent application and also in my United States patent application Ser. No. 290,634 entitled Stabilized Side Plate Construction for Grate Conveyor, filed Sept. 20, I972.

The scraping or stripping and sealing assembly generally indicated at 30 as shown at the left-hand side of FIG. 2 is in a position corresponding to the extreme laterally outward position of the side plates 12 and of the guide member 74 corresponding to the normal operating temperature of the grate conveyor after it is at normal operating temperature. Note, that in this position the scraping assembly. 30 is in scraping and sealing relation to the inner surface of the side plate members 12. However, assume that the conveyor is just being started up and is at ambient temperature. Under such start-up conditions, the side plates 12 rather than being in a position shown at the left in FIG. 2, would be in a laterally inward position corresponding to the cool condition of the conveyor strand and thus the laterally inner wall surface of side plate 12 would be displaced (under the cool condition) laterally inwardly for a distance of the order of magnitude, for example, of approximately 1 to l- /z inches to the position shown at the right in FIG. 2.

Note that in the cool condition of the conveyor as shown at the right in FIG. 2, the scraping assembly 30 is still in scraping and sealing relation to the inner surface of side plates 12.

Assume that after starting up, the conveyor, as does happen, heats up to a temperature substantially above the ambient temperature say, for example, to a temperature of 700 Fahrenheit. This will cause the whole conveyor strand 10 including the grates, chains and the side plates 12 to expand laterally outwardly. Lateral outward expansion of the side plates 12 along with the rest of the conveyor strand will cause the thrust buttons 80 to engage thrust surface 76 on the guide member 74 thereby displacing the guide member 74 laterally outwardly to approach the position shown at the left in FIG. 2. The lateral outward displacement of guide member 74 as just described will, due to the rigid connection between the guide member 74 and the respective pipes 40A, 40B, 40C move the pipes 40A, 40B, 40C laterally outwardly thereby maintaining the connected scraper plow assembly 30 (scrapers 32, 34, 36) in constant scraping and sealing contact relative to the side walls 12 in any position to which the guide member 74 and connected pipes 40A, 40B, 40C and Connected scraper and sealing assembly 30 may be moved by the lateral expansion of the conveyor strand and the connected side plates 12.

If after the conveyor has been in operation it is desired to shut down the conveyor for either major or minor repairs, the conveyor is allowed to cool down, resulting in thermal contraction of conveyor strand including the side plates 12, with the result that side plates 12 will move laterally inwardly, and, due to the engagement of the laterally inner face of the side plate 12 with the laterally outer face of the scraper and sealing assembly 30, the scraper assembly 30 and connected pipes 40A, etc., and guide member 74 will follow the lateral inward movement of the side plates 12 as the conveyor strand shrinks laterally inwardly due to the cooling off thereof. It can thus be seen that there is what might be called a follower relation between the side plates 12, the guide member 74, and the scraper and sealing assembly 30 which causes the scraper and sealing assembly 30 and guide member 74 to follow-the movement of the side plates 12 under changing thermal conditions to maintain the assembly 30 in constant scraping and sealing relation to the inner surfaces of side plates 12.

From the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it has been shown how the objects of the invention have been obtained in a preferred manner. However, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts such as readily occur to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this inven tion.

The embodimentsof the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination, a traveling grate conveyor mounted to move around an end shaft from an upper to a lower run thereof at the discharge end of the conveyor, an end stripper positioned at the discharge end of said upper run to receive from said upper run material which has been conveyed along said upper run, said end stripper being adapted to deliver said material to other apparatus, said conveyor including along the entire length of a longitudinal edge thereof a plurality of side plates defining a sidewall for said traveling conveyor, and means for scraping the laterally inner surface of said side wall in the region of said end shaft upstream of said end stripper, comprising a hollow plow means lying laterally inwardly of said inner surface and having a scraping edge positioned adjacent said inner surface of said side wall and adapted to deflect material away from said innersurface and laterally inwardly of the moving conveyor, a pipe member connected to said plow means for axial movement with said plow means and communicating with the hollow interior of said plow means for supplying cooling fluid to said hollow interior, bearing means lying laterally outwardly of said moving conveyor and supporting said pipe member for axial movement in a direction laterally of the moving conveyor, a guide member lying laterally outwardly of the path of movement of said side wall, said guide member being secured to and axially movable with said pipe member,said side wall being engageable with said guide member to cause corresponding outward lateral movement of said guide member, of said pipe member,

and of said plow means upon laterally outward thermal expansion of said traveling conveyor, said side wall being engageable with said plow means to cause corresponding inward lateral movement of said plow means, of said pipe member, and of said guide member upon laterally inward thermal contraction of said traveling conveyor.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 including a sealing plate extending along the path of the upper run of said grate conveyor and adapted to overlie the upper edge of said side wall to prevent lateral spillage over said edge'of material being conveyed along most of the length of said sealing plate, there being a clearance space between said sealing plate and the upper edge of said side wall in the region where said traveling grate is turning around said endshaft, said plow means being positioned to cover said clearance'space to prevent lat: eral spillage of material through said clearance space.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said plow means comprises a plurality of separate plow members in longitudinally abutting relation to each other, each of said separate plow members being hollow, and pipe means connected to each separate plow member for supporting the respective separate plow members and for supplying cooling fluid to the hollow interior of the respective separate plow members.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 in which said plow means comprising said plurality of plows extends from a first location where the conveyor is just about to turn around the end shaft to a second location where the conveyor has partially completed its movement around said end shaft, said plow means being in substantially abutting relation at said second location with the upstream end of said end stripper.

[5. The combination defined in claim 3 in which at least the most upstream of said plow members is provided with a scraping edge adapted to deflect material away from said inner surface of the conveyor side wall and laterally inwardly of the conveyor.

6. The combination defined in claim 3 in which the uppermost edge of each of said plurality of plows lies on substantially a common are with the uppermost edge of the other plows, the lowermost edge of a first plow which is the most upstream of said plows being at a higher level than the lowermost edge of at least a second plow immediately downstream of said first plow, said first plow having a substantially vertical scraping edge at the most upstream end thereof, said second plow having a substantially vertical scraping edge on the upstream portion of said second plow which lies below the level of said first plow.

7. The combination defined in claim 3'in which said guide member extends through a longitudinal path at 8. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said 1 plow means is provided with egress means for the cooling fluid.

9. The combination defined in claim 1 in which the respective side plates of said side wall are provided with a corresponding thrust button which is engageable with said guide member.

10. The combination defined in claim 1 including cooperating means carried by said plow means and by stationary structure contiguous thereto for preventing roration of said plow means due to forces exerted on said plow means by the material being conveyed.

11. A scraping and sealing means for use with an apparatus comprising a traveling grate conveyor of the type including an endlessly movable conveyor strand mounted to turn about an end shaft at the discharge end of the conveyor, said conveyor strand including along the entire length of a longitudinal edge thereof a plurality of side plates defining a side wall for said traveling grate conveyor, said apparatus including an end stripper which is positioned at the discharge end of the upper run of said conveyor to receive from said upper run material which has been conveyed along said upper run, the scraping and sealing means comprising: a hollow plow means adapted to lie contiguous and laterally inwardly of the inner surface of said side wall, said plow means having a scraping edge adapted to be positioned adjacent the inner surface of said side wall and to deflect material away from said inner surface and laterally inwardly of the moving conveyor, a pipe member connected to said plow means for axial movement with said plow means and communicating with the hollow interior of said plow means for supplying cooling fluid to said hollow interior, bearing means positioned to lie laterally outwardly of the moving conveyor and supporting said pipe member for axial movement in a direction laterally of the moving conveyor, a guide member adapted to lie laterally outwardly of the path of movement of said side wall, said guide member being secured to and axially movable with said pipe member, said side wall of the conveyor being engageable with said guide member to cause corresponding outward lateral movement of said guide member, of said pipe member, and of said plow means upon laterally outward thermal expansion of said conveyor, said side wall being engageable with said plow means to cause corresponding inwardlateral movement of said plow means, of said pipe member, and of said guide member upon laterally inward thermal contraction of said conveyor.

12. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 11 in which said plow means comprises a plurality of separate plow members in longitudinally abutting relation to each other, each of said separate plow members being hollow, and pipe means connected to each separate plow member for supporting the respective separate plow members and for supplying cooling fluid to the hollow interior of the respective separate plow members.

13. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 12 in which each of said plow members has connected thereto a separate corresponding fluid supply pipe, and a separate bearing means corresponding to each supply pipe and supporting the corresponding pipe for axial movement in a direction laterally of the conveyor, each respective plow member being axially movable 'with its 14 corresponding fluid supply pipe.

14. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 12 in which said plow means comprising said plurality of plows extends from a first location where the conveyor is just about to turn around the end shaft to a second location where the conveyor has partially completed its movement around said end shaft, said plow means being in substantially abutting relation at said second location with the upstream end of said end stripper.

15. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 12 in which at least the most upstream of said plow members is provided with a scraping edge adapted to deflect material away from said inner surface of the conveyor side wall and laterally inwardly of the conveyor.

16. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 12 in which the uppermost edge of each of said plurality of plows lies on substantially a common arc with the uppermost edge of the other plows, the lowermost edge of a first plow which is the most upstream of said plows being at a higher level than the lowermost edge of at least a second plow immediately downstream of said first plow, said first plow having a substantially vertical scraping edge-at the most upstream end thereof, said second plow having a substantially vertical scraping edge on the upstream portion of said second plow which lies below the level of said first plow.

17. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 12 in which said guide member extends through a longitudinal path at least equal in length to the longitudinal path through which said plurality of plow members extends, each of said plow members being connected to and axially movable with a separate corresponding fluid supply pipe means, each of said separate fluid supply pipe means being connected to and axially movable with said guide member, and a separate bearing means for each fluid supply pipe means.

18. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 11 in which said plow means is provided with egress means for the cooling fluid.

19. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 11 and which is adapted to cooperate with a sealing plate extending along the path of the upper run of said grate conveyor and which sealing plate overlies the upper edge of said conveyor side wall to prevent lateral spillage over said edge of material being conveyed along most of the length of said sealing plate,-there being a clearance space between said sealing plate and the upper edge of said side wall in the region where said traveling grate is turning around said end shaft, said plow member being adapted to be positioned to cover said clearance space to prevent lateral spillage of material through said clearance space.

20. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 11 including means carried by said plow means and adapted to cooperate with stationary structure contiguous thereto for preventing rotation of said plow means due to forces exerted on said plow means by material being conveyed. 

1. In combination, a traveling grate conveyor mounted to move around an end shaft from an upper to a lower run thereof at the discharge end of the conveyor, an end stripper positioned at the discharge end of said upper run to receive from said upper run material which has been conveyed along said upper run, said end stripper being adapted to deliver said material to other apparatus, said conveyor including along the entire length of a longitudinal edge thereof a plurality of side plates defining a side wall for said traveling conveyor, and means for scraping the laterally inner surface of said side wall in the region of said end shaft upstream of said end stripper, comprising a hollow plow means lying laterally inwardly of said inner surface and having a scraping edge positioned adjacent said inner surface of said side wall and adapted to deflect material away from said inner surface and laterally inwardly of the moving conveyor, a pipe member connected to said plow means for axial movement wIth said plow means and communicating with the hollow interior of said plow means for supplying cooling fluid to said hollow interior, bearing means lying laterally outwardly of said moving conveyor and supporting said pipe member for axial movement in a direction laterally of the moving conveyor, a guide member lying laterally outwardly of the path of movement of said side wall, said guide member being secured to and axially movable with said pipe member, said side wall being engageable with said guide member to cause corresponding outward lateral movement of said guide member, of said pipe member, and of said plow means upon laterally outward thermal expansion of said traveling conveyor, said side wall being engageable with said plow means to cause corresponding inward lateral movement of said plow means, of said pipe member, and of said guide member upon laterally inward thermal contraction of said traveling conveyor.
 2. The combination defined in claim 1 including a sealing plate extending along the path of the upper run of said grate conveyor and adapted to overlie the upper edge of said side wall to prevent lateral spillage over said edge of material being conveyed along most of the length of said sealing plate, there being a clearance space between said sealing plate and the upper edge of said side wall in the region where said traveling grate is turning around said end shaft, said plow means being positioned to cover said clearance space to prevent lateral spillage of material through said clearance space.
 3. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said plow means comprises a plurality of separate plow members in longitudinally abutting relation to each other, each of said separate plow members being hollow, and pipe means connected to each separate plow member for supporting the respective separate plow members and for supplying cooling fluid to the hollow interior of the respective separate plow members.
 4. The combination defined in claim 3 in which said plow means comprising said plurality of plows extends from a first location where the conveyor is just about to turn around the end shaft to a second location where the conveyor has partially completed its movement around said end shaft, said plow means being in substantially abutting relation at said second location with the upstream end of said end stripper.
 5. The combination defined in claim 3 in which at least the most upstream of said plow members is provided with a scraping edge adapted to deflect material away from said inner surface of the conveyor side wall and laterally inwardly of the conveyor.
 6. The combination defined in claim 3 in which the uppermost edge of each of said plurality of plows lies on substantially a common arc with the uppermost edge of the other plows, the lowermost edge of a first plow which is the most upstream of said plows being at a higher level than the lowermost edge of at least a second plow immediately downstream of said first plow, said first plow having a substantially vertical scraping edge at the most upstream end thereof, said second plow having a substantially vertical scraping edge on the upstream portion of said second plow which lies below the level of said first plow.
 7. The combination defined in claim 3 in which said guide member extends through a longitudinal path at least equal in length to the longitudinal path through which said plurality of plow members extend, each of said plow members being connected to and axially movable with a separate corresponding fluid supply pipe means, each of said separate fluid supply pipe means being connected to and axially movable with said guide member.
 8. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said plow means is provided with egress means for the cooling fluid.
 9. The combination defined in claim 1 in which the respective side plates of said side wall are provided with a corresponding thrust button which is engageable with said guide member.
 10. The combination defined in claim 1 including cooperAting means carried by said plow means and by stationary structure contiguous thereto for preventing rotation of said plow means due to forces exerted on said plow means by the material being conveyed.
 11. A scraping and sealing means for use with an apparatus comprising a traveling grate conveyor of the type including an endlessly movable conveyor strand mounted to turn about an end shaft at the discharge end of the conveyor, said conveyor strand including along the entire length of a longitudinal edge thereof a plurality of side plates defining a side wall for said traveling grate conveyor, said apparatus including an end stripper which is positioned at the discharge end of the upper run of said conveyor to receive from said upper run material which has been conveyed along said upper run, the scraping and sealing means comprising: a hollow plow means adapted to lie contiguous and laterally inwardly of the inner surface of said side wall, said plow means having a scraping edge adapted to be positioned adjacent the inner surface of said side wall and to deflect material away from said inner surface and laterally inwardly of the moving conveyor, a pipe member connected to said plow means for axial movement with said plow means and communicating with the hollow interior of said plow means for supplying cooling fluid to said hollow interior, bearing means positioned to lie laterally outwardly of the moving conveyor and supporting said pipe member for axial movement in a direction laterally of the moving conveyor, a guide member adapted to lie laterally outwardly of the path of movement of said side wall, said guide member being secured to and axially movable with said pipe member, said side wall of the conveyor being engageable with said guide member to cause corresponding outward lateral movement of said guide member, of said pipe member, and of said plow means upon laterally outward thermal expansion of said conveyor, said side wall being engageable with said plow means to cause corresponding inward lateral movement of said plow means, of said pipe member, and of said guide member upon laterally inward thermal contraction of said conveyor.
 12. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 11 in which said plow means comprises a plurality of separate plow members in longitudinally abutting relation to each other, each of said separate plow members being hollow, and pipe means connected to each separate plow member for supporting the respective separate plow members and for supplying cooling fluid to the hollow interior of the respective separate plow members.
 13. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 12 in which each of said plow members has connected thereto a separate corresponding fluid supply pipe, and a separate bearing means corresponding to each supply pipe and supporting the corresponding pipe for axial movement in a direction laterally of the conveyor, each respective plow member being axially movable with its corresponding fluid supply pipe.
 14. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 12 in which said plow means comprising said plurality of plows extends from a first location where the conveyor is just about to turn around the end shaft to a second location where the conveyor has partially completed its movement around said end shaft, said plow means being in substantially abutting relation at said second location with the upstream end of said end stripper.
 15. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 12 in which at least the most upstream of said plow members is provided with a scraping edge adapted to deflect material away from said inner surface of the conveyor side wall and laterally inwardly of the conveyor.
 16. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 12 in which the uppermost edge of each of said plurality of plows lies on substantially a common arc with the uppermost edge of the other plows, the lowermost edge of a first plow which is the most upstream of said plows being at a higher level than the loweRmost edge of at least a second plow immediately downstream of said first plow, said first plow having a substantially vertical scraping edge at the most upstream end thereof, said second plow having a substantially vertical scraping edge on the upstream portion of said second plow which lies below the level of said first plow.
 17. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 12 in which said guide member extends through a longitudinal path at least equal in length to the longitudinal path through which said plurality of plow members extends, each of said plow members being connected to and axially movable with a separate corresponding fluid supply pipe means, each of said separate fluid supply pipe means being connected to and axially movable with said guide member, and a separate bearing means for each fluid supply pipe means.
 18. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 11 in which said plow means is provided with egress means for the cooling fluid.
 19. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 11 and which is adapted to cooperate with a sealing plate extending along the path of the upper run of said grate conveyor and which sealing plate overlies the upper edge of said conveyor side wall to prevent lateral spillage over said edge of material being conveyed along most of the length of said sealing plate, there being a clearance space between said sealing plate and the upper edge of said side wall in the region where said traveling grate is turning around said end shaft, said plow member being adapted to be positioned to cover said clearance space to prevent lateral spillage of material through said clearance space.
 20. A scraping and sealing means as defined in claim 11 including means carried by said plow means and adapted to cooperate with stationary structure contiguous thereto for preventing rotation of said plow means due to forces exerted on said plow means by material being conveyed. 